A local resident used another person’s ID card that he had found to buy facemasks, according to a statement released by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday.
According to information provided by the Public Security Police, the police received a report on Wednesday from the male victim, saying that he went to buy facemasks in pharmacies in Avenida de ArturTamagnini Barbosa and Toi San district last Monday and this Monday respectively, but discovered that his Macau identity card (BIR) had already been registered to purchase facemasks.
Since the victim had previously lost his ID card he suspected that it had been stolen and someone had used it to buy facemasks.
According to a special anti-coronavirus measure by the government, residents and non-resident workers are entitled to buy 10 facemasks at the fixed price of 8 patacas every 10 days. However, they must present an ID card or work permit (informally known as “blue card”) when buying the facemasks.
After an investigation, PSP officers were able to track down a man surnamed Chao who lives in a flat in Avenida de ArturTamagnini Barbosa. Chao, a local resident in his thirties, told police that he was unemployed and admitted that he had picked up the victim’s ID card and used it to purchase facemasks.
Chao is suspected of “theft by finding” and “using another person’s ID”, according to the statement. After further investigation by the police, the case will be transferred to the Public Prosecution Office (MP).
According to Article 200 (theft by finding) and Article 250 (using another person’s ID) of the Macau Penal Code, Chao faces up to one year in prison or a fine and up to three years in prison or a fine respectively.
The police reminded the public that the use of other people’s identity documents without the consent of the owner is a crime and perpetrators can face up to three years in jail.
